by Nicki Night
Before heading out for the evening, he called Raven so he could speak with Kylee.
“Hi Dad-eeeee!”
“What’s up, sunshine?”
“I have a school trip tomorrow. We’re going to the museum with the dinosaurs. That’s my favorite. Francesca said they scare her. I told her to just hold my hand. Mommy said she could spend the night this weekend. We’re going to have so much fun.”
“I’m sure you will.”
“Can we go to the dinosaur museum there when I come for the summer?”
“Of course. Now tell me about your day.”
Kylee went on excitedly chronicling her day from the moment Raven dropped her off at school until the second before he called her for their evening chat. By the time Kylee was done, Sterling knew what she’d eaten for breakfast, lunch, snack and dinner. He found out about the stupid boy who pushed Francesca down in the schoolyard and got in trouble and the other silly boy who had a crush on both Kylee and her best friend. Her sweet voice melted his heart.
No one knew, but he’d saved her voicemails so he could listen to that voice whenever he desired. He hated that she now lived so far from him. He never wanted his family split between homes and cherished his summers and school breaks with Kylee. Sterling wished there was a way she could stay with him even though there were zero chances of him and Raven ever getting back together. A little girl needed her mother. He could never deny the fact that Raven was a great mom.
Kylee finished speaking and huffed. Had she been talking so fast that she’d forgotten to breathe? Sterling laughed and shook his head.
“Sounds like you had a great day, princess!”
“It was okay.”
Sterling chuckled. After all of that, her day was just “okay.”
They ended the call in their customary way, sharing how much they loved each other and closing with a long, loud tossed kiss. “Mmmmmmmmmm-mah!”
Sterling looked at his watch and grabbed the keys to the convertible. The cocktail hour ended at nine, which gave him enough time to catch at least half of it. Sterling entered the garage from the kitchen, jumped in the car and revved the engine. He watched the garage door rise, taking note of how the moon had changed places with the sun. Sterling made his way to the country club under the flow of a silver evening light.
After pulling into the circular drive, Sterling stopped and handed his keys to the valet. Inside, hostesses directed him to the appropriate area for his event. Signs for The Oxford Preparatory High School’s Tenth Reunion guided him the rest of the way. Sterling scanned the names at the check-in table to see if Noah had arrived. He hadn’t. His badge was still there. Other badges bore names that Sterling could remember the faces to. He recognized one name for certain—his high school crush. That name stood out as if the letters were illuminated. Funny, he hadn’t thought about her until that very moment. Sterling wondered what she looked like these days. Surely she was still pretty—probably even more beautiful now.
“Good evening and welcome to The Oxford Preparatory High School Reunion.” The woman greeted him in a high-pitched voice that Sterling recognized right away.
A visual of her in frilly dresses came right to him.
“Sterling? Sterling Bishop is that you?” She shrieked.
“Emily, right?”
“Yes!” Excited, she shot up, rounded the table separating the two of them and hugged his neck.
Sterling was taken aback by her reaction. He didn’t remember them interacting much back in school.
Emily released her embrace and held him at arm’s length. “You are some kind of handsome, Mr. Bishop. Are you married? Have children? Do you still live on Long Island?”
The questions came too fast for him to answer. He smiled. “Not anymore. Yes. And Yes.”
Emily tittered, rubbing her hands up and down his arm. “Aren’t you an eyeful? Shame on your ex-wife. I would have never let you get away from me.” Her smile eased into a seductive snicker. “Here.” She finally released him and went back to her side of the table. “Let me get you situated.” She handed Sterling his name badge and a program booklet. “This is your directory. It’s complete with names, professions and business contact information from everyone in our graduating class.” She tilted her shoulder forward. “My email and telephone number is on page forty-four. Feel free to use it.” She winked.
“Thank you. I appreciate that,” Sterling said, pinning his badge to his suit jacket. “See you around?”
“You sure will.” Emily tucked her bottom lip into her mouth and shimmied. “Enjoy the party,” she purred.
Sterling gave her a quick, polite nod and entered the double doors leading to the cocktail reception on the terrace.
“Sterling? Is that you?”
Sterling turned and was face-to-face with his high school sweetheart. Her green eyes sparkled and her skin glowed.
“Kirsten!” A genuine smile crossed his lips. The two hugged.
Immediately after the hug, she stepped back. Sterling noticed her swollen belly and raised a brow with a smile.
Kirsten gently placed her hand on her belly. “Yes. My husband and I are expecting...again!” Playfully she rolled her eyes. “Honey. Come.” She waved a broad-shouldered gentleman over. “This is Sterling Bishop.”
He pointed at Sterling before shaking his hand. “I remember you. Captain of the basketball team, right? John Wales.” He pointed to himself. “From Waldorf Academy. You guys gave us a real run for our money in the playoffs our senior year.”
Recognition came to Sterling right away. “John! Yes. We worked our asses off for that win. You guys weren’t letting up.”
“Ha! Still playing?”
“Every now and then. Good to see you and congratulations on your newest addition.” Sterling gestured toward Kirsten.
The men chatted for a few moments, touching on their professions and current ventures.
Sterling got a drink from the bar and continued to mingle until he heard a familiar voice shout over the crowd. He laughed, rolled his eyes upward and looked in the direction of the obnoxious voice of his best friend, Noah.
“What’s up, dude?” Noah had his arm around a woman whose neckline plunged down to her navel. He didn’t bother to introduce the woman.
Sterling smiled and shook her hand anyway. “What’s up, man?”
“Let’s get this party started.” Noah raised his drink in the air. “Oxford!” he yelled.
“Oh yeah!” Sterling and a few guys cupped their hands around their mouths and responded the way they had back in high school during games.
Noah’s shout raised the level of excitement on the terrace and the chatter grew louder. Familiar faces shifted throughout the space, offering greetings and conjuring up memories of their school days. Midlaugh, Sterling’s eyes landed on a stunning woman with straight, jet-black hair framing the sides of her beautiful face. The navy cocktail dress hugged her curves as if it were made right on her body.
Sterling narrowed his eyes—examining her from a distance. She held the same grace and flair from her teens. Only now it was enhanced with a womanly essence. He found himself wondering if she had married. Sterling brought his snifter to his lips and sipped. He still hadn’t taken his eyes off her. In fact, he enjoyed watching her gracefully maneuver through the crowd. She moved like she had music in her flesh—flowing instead of walking, swaying with the cool breeze of the night air. Other men followed her with their eyes, too. He wasn’t concerned about them.
Chimes rang, followed by a soothing voice ushering them into the main dining area so that the festivities could begin. The voice seemed like it was made just for these announcements.
Sterling watched as she swayed into the main room. The smile planted on his face was held on its own volition. She did it. She made him smile. Sterling looked at his card, checked his table number and looked f
or it. He put his drink down when he found his seat and then scanned the space again to find her. She was preparing to sit a few tables over. Drawn, he went to her.
“Good evening, ladies. Remember me? How are you doing? You all look lovely tonight.”
“Hey, Sterling!” Dominique said.
“Good evening,” Jewel said with a confident smile.
“It has been so long. How are you?” Harper chimed in.
“I’m very well.” He answered the ladies but made direct eye contact with Jewel. He glanced at her left hand. No ring. Suddenly he was glad he decided to show up.
Chapter 5
Jewel wanted to look away but couldn’t seem to tear her gaze from Sterling’s striking hazel eyes. Good Lord that man was all kinds of handsome! Great bone structure, beautiful teeth, tall, athletic build, and now even more good-looking than he was back in school. Of course she remembered him. Sterling had matured into his manliness extremely well.
Jewel picked up the glass of ice water at her table setting and sipped. It was the only way to break the intense gaze and keep her cool. She could still feel his eyes on her. When she looked up, he wore a gentle smile, revealing those pearly whites framed by luscious lips. His erect posture exuded confidence. Jewel found that and his stylish, well-made suit sexy.
“What are you doing these days?” Harper asked him.
Jewel wished they would cut the small talk so he could walk away and allow her to breathe. Neither of them caught her drift when she fell silent. Dominique and Harper continued to engage Sterling, yet his eyes were glued to her. Jewel grew hot under the collar even though she had on a strapless dress.
She remained silent as the rest of them swapped stories about life since high school. Though she didn’t partake verbally, she absorbed every word that fell from Sterling’s full lips. He listened as much as he talked and Jewel liked that. Even when he spoke of his success, it didn’t sound like bragging. He wasn’t trying to impress them. Sterling was being himself—cool, confident.
Jewel shook her head. Why was she summing him up? She wasn’t interested in this man. She continued to listen but couldn’t help her muscles from tightening when Sterling pulled out pictures of his precious six-year-old daughter and spoke about his ex now living in Chicago with her. It was obvious that he was smitten by the pretty little lady with the adorable mess of curls on top of her head. Everything he’d just said made what she was feeling come crashing to an abrupt halt when he uttered the words my daughter and ex-wife. Jewel looked at the picture, offered a cordial smile and sat back, unfastening herself from Sterling’s intangible draw.
She cleared her throat, which captured their attention. “Excuse me.” She put the glass back down on the table.
“What about you, Jewel? What have you been up to?” Sterling’s grin made her pulse quicken and she wanted to excuse herself again.
What was happening here? “Working the family business,” she said as if it was no big deal that she was heir to a billion-dollar food empire.
“I see.” His response felt compressed. There was so much more behind those two words. Jewel could feel it.
“Hey, ladies!” Noah stepped up, bringing a fresh wind of excitement. His voice boomed, reaching their ears clearly over the hum of the crowd.
“Noah Hamilton!” At first, Harper parked her hands on her hips and then opened her arms for a hug.
“Long time no see, but you’re all still gorgeous.” He passed out hugs and kisses to each one of them.
“How’s it going, Noah?” Dominique asked after their embrace.
“I can’t complain. My dad always said that no one even listens anyway!
“Jewel!” Noah raised his brow. “Life’s been good to you.”
“Yes. Thank you, Noah. You look great!”
“You ladies wouldn’t mind if I stole Sterling for a moment would you?”
“Not at all,” Jewel offered up quickly.
Harper widened her eyes at Jewel. Dominique closed hers for a brief moment and sighed before chuckling. Sterling grinned.
“See you around, ladies.” Sterling lifted his glass before walking off with Noah.
The second he left, Dominique and Harper looked sharply at Jewel who flopped back in her chair.
“Did you see how he looked at you?” Dominique’s hand flew to her chest.
“What. Was. That. About?” Harper sat and fanned herself.
“I don’t know,” Jewel said.
“He wouldn’t take his eyes off you, Jewel. I must say.” Dominique picked up a glass of water. “Sterling Bishop has certainly grown into one fine specimen. I could see you two together,” Dominique added. “He’s gorgeous. You’re beautiful. If the two of you walked down the street together, you’d give people whiplash from trying to look too hard. Ha!” Tickled by her own comment, Dominique actually slapped her knee.
“Sterling Bishop and I could never be an item. Did you forget he just proudly showed us pictures of his little girl and said the word ex-wife?” Jewel shuddered dramatically, generating another round of laughter.
“You are so theatrical,” Dominique waved her hand dismissively.
“No one said you had to marry him.” Harper shrugged.
“Nope. And I don’t believe he’s an Ivy League man, either. We’re not compatible at all!” Jewel lifted her chin punctuating her summation as if the discussion was over.
Dominique twisted her lips at Jewel. “Even you don’t believe that!”
Harper cackled.
“At the very least, I’d say he’s great for a few dates. It doesn’t have to be anything serious if you know what I mean?” Dominique winked.
“You’re so bad!” Harper rolled her eyes in jest.
Jewel hadn’t noticed the music playing until it was lowered and Emily took to the podium to welcome everyone and announced what was to come for the remainder of the evening.
“I bet he’s the type of man that gets all into your system before you even realize you’re smitten.” Dominique went right back to their conversation the moment Emily walked away from the microphone.
Jewel sniffed. “I am not that gullible.”
“Then go out with him. I dare you. He’s obviously interested. You have nothing to lose,” Dominique challenged.
Jewel bit her bottom lip and glanced across the floor to where Sterling was bent over laughing next to Noah. “I imagine he’d be incredible in bed.” The three of them giggled like they were back in high school.
After a scrumptious dinner of lobster and chateaubriand, the organizers began the program starting with an icebreaker activity. A half hour later, it was time to party.
The band played a popular song from their high school years and almost everyone hit the dance floor. Jewel, Dominique and Harper danced together in their own circle. The three weren’t strangers to a party scene.
A tap on her shoulder startled Jewel. She turned around and was swallowed up by Sterling’s piercing hazel eyes.
“Can I join you?”
Jewel’s pulse quickened. She wanted to say no. She couldn’t control this effect he had on her. Despite that, she said yes. Sterling eased his fingers between hers and they swayed to the music together. Jewel felt as if she were back in school. Sterling had never been the object of her affection then, but she felt something brewing now.
Jewel physically shook her head to shake off whatever that feeling was. She stepped back, adding space between Sterling and her, then moved in time with the lively beat. Sterling matched her step for step and before long they were engrossed in a playful battle, stirring up memories of old popular dances. Next, a song came on from their senior year. A certain dance was known to accompany the rhythm. Jewel and Sterling joined the rest of those on the floor moving along with the crowd in unison. They danced, laughed and danced more. Other songs began and ended and the two were
still dancing some time later. Dominique and Harper had found partners, too, and were no longer beside Jewel and Sterling. Sweat was beginning to trickle down the center of Jewel’s back. Her body had warmed from all the movement.
“Whew! I need a break.” Jewel panted, threw her head back and laughed. She hadn’t danced that hard in years. She felt free. “That was fun.”
“Let’s get a drink.” Taking her by the hand, Sterling led her off the dance floor and headed to the bar. He asked for two waters and handed one to Jewel. “Want to get some air?”
“Sure.” Jewel took the ice-cold water Sterling had just handed to her. She moaned after a long sip. “I needed this.”
Sterling took her hand again and led them to the terrace. Jewel was hyperaware of his touch as they snaked through the crowd, but didn’t pull away. She liked the way his strong, masculine hand felt wrapped around hers.
Once they hit the terrace, the cool air against her warm sweat-moistened skin caused a slight shiver. They maneuvered past people gathered in groups of two or three until they reached the far end of the terrace, which was lit mostly by the silver light of the moon. Jewel placed her hand on the marble parapet and slowly swept her gaze over the sprawling greenery of the country club and what she could see of the rolling hills on the golf course. Closing her eyes, she breathed in the fresh air, exhaling as slowly as she inhaled.
Sterling stood beside her. “Perfect night, huh?”
“Yes. It’s beautiful. If my mother were here she would scrutinize every crevice of this place.” Jewel turned to face Sterling and chuckled. “She’s so competitive.”
“So you’ve gotten it honestly.”
“What?” Her brows creased. “Me? No.”
Sterling wagged his finger. “I remember you on the girls’ lacrosse team. Unbeatable. Let’s not forget the swim team,” Sterling added. “Didn’t you make all-county and weren’t you named the scholar-athlete of the year?”
Jewel blushed. She’d forgotten all of that. “Well. Yes, there’s that.”
